UK

Prior information notice

Information

Published

Expire date: 21/03/2022

External Reference: 2022-518950

FTS Reference: 2022-004190

Prior information notice

Prior information notice

Services

This notice aims at reducing time limits for receipt of tenders

Section I: Contracting authority

I.1)

Name and addresses

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
N/A
Culham Science Centre
Abingdon
OX14 3DB
UK
Contact person: Christos Kalantaridis
Telephone: +44 123546
E-mail: christos.kalantaridis@ukaea.uk
NUTS code:  UKJ1 -  Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Internet address(es):
Main address: http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority
Address of the buyer profile: https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Company/CompanyInformation/Index/72814

I.3)

Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at:  
https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=43625&B=UK
Additional information can be obtained from
the abovementioned address:  
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted
electronically via:  https://uk.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=43625&B=UK
Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted
to the abovementioned address
I.4)

Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law
I.5)

Main activity

Other activity:  Fusion Research

Section II: Object

II.1)

Scope of the procurement

II.1.1)

Title

Remote Handling Emergency Stop System Software
Reference number:  T/CK029/22
II.1.2)

Main CPV code

98113100  -  Nuclear safety services
II.1.3)

Type of contract

Services
II.1.4)

Short description

The current Remote Handling (RH) Safety System, otherwise known as the Emergency Stop System (EMS), has been in use for many years. The system is due to be upgraded and replaced with a modern, fit for purpose, Performance Level (PL) rated system to enable the Remote Handling (RH) plant to operate well into the future.
To make the design and manufacture of the EMS simpler, the work package has been split into two sections – Hardware and Software.
The Hardware work package focuses on the high-level system architecture and basic hardware needed to make the RH plant machine safety system function.
The Software work package is more encapsulating, being responsible for all machine safety system software within the RHS Upgrade, regardless of work package.
UKAEA invites initial Expressions of Interest from engineering firms, consultancy groups and academia.
II.1.5)

Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: 250000.00  GBP
II.1.6)

Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: no
II.2)

Description

II.2.2)

Additional CPV code(s)

48110000  -  Point of sale (POS) software package
48150000  -  Industrial control software package
98113100  -  Nuclear safety services
48000000  -  Software package and information systems
II.2.3)

Place of performance

NUTS code:  UKJ1 -  Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
NUTS code:  UKJ -  SOUTH EAST (ENGLAND)
NUTS code:  UK -  UNITED KINGDOM
II.2.4)

Description of the procurement

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is leading research in the generation of energy from fusion technology, primarily using the Joint European Torus (JET) vessel located at Culham. The current Remote Handling (RH) Safety System, otherwise known as the Emergency Stop System (EMS), has been in use for many years. The system is due to be upgraded and replaced with a modern, fit for purpose, Performance Level (PL) rated system to enable the Remote Handling (RH) plant to operate well into the future.
To make the design and manufacture of the EMS simpler, the work package has been split into two sections – Hardware and Software.
The Hardware work package focuses on the high-level system architecture and basic hardware needed to make the RH plant machine safety system function. It acts as the glue that holds the machine safety systems of all other RHS Upgrade work packages together. The machine safety system hardware design within other work packages is handled locally by that work package, with EMS being a major interface; EMS dictates the minimum Performance Level requirement (PLr) and hardware needed, with the local work package handling the rest and feeding back into EMS. An example of this is the MASCOT work package, which will design the MASCOT safety system inclusive of the minimum EMS hardware and PLr – EMS then interfaces to this and ensures it functions with the rest of the machine safety system.
The Software work package is more encapsulating, being responsible for all machine safety system software within the RHS Upgrade, regardless of work package. This is because the software must be programmed from a central point to all other sub-systems and be in the same software project. In the above example, the MASCOT safety system hardware will be programmed by the EMS work package.
UKAEA invites initial Expressions of Interest from engineering firms, consultancy groups and academia.
II.2.5)

Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.6)

Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: 250000.00  GBP
II.2.7)

Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months: 8
II.2.13)

Information about European Union funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: no
II.2.14)

Additional information

Please find below the webinar link:
https://ukaea.zoom.us/j/96656165498?pwd=cUtLWE5vQWZDMTlLeHR6RWtWZUlJQT09
The webinar will take place on Wednesday 23/02/2022. Please register/log in through Mercell UK CTM e-Sourcing Portal(EU supply) for further information.
II.3)

Estimated date of publication of contract notice:

23/03/2022

Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information

III.1)

Conditions for participation

III.1.1)

Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers

List and brief description of conditions:  Refer to Procurement Documents for information.
III.1.2)

Economic and financial standing

List and brief description of selection criteria:  
Refer to Procurement Documents for information.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required:  
Refer to Procurement Documents for information.
III.1.3)

Technical and professional ability

List and brief description of selection criteria:  
Refer to Procurement Documents for information.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required:  
Refer to Procurement Documents for information.
III.2)

Conditions related to the contract

III.2.2)

Contract performance conditions

Refer to Procurement Documents for information.

Section IV: Procedure

IV.1)

Description

IV.1.8)

Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement : yes
IV.2)

Administrative information

Section VI: Complementary information

VI.3)

Additional information

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) is leading research in the generation of energy from fusion technology, primarily using the Joint European Torus (JET) vessel located at Culham. The current Remote Handling (RH) Safety System, otherwise known as the Emergency Stop System (EMS), has been in use for many years. The system is due to be upgraded and replaced with a modern, fit for purpose, Performance Level (PL) rated system to enable the Remote Handling (RH) plant to operate well into the future.
To make the design and manufacture of the EMS simpler, the work package has been split into two sections – Hardware and Software.
The Hardware work package focuses on the high-level system architecture and basic hardware needed to make the RH plant machine safety system function. It acts as the glue that holds the machine safety systems of all other RHS Upgrade work packages together. The machine safety system hardware design within other work packages is handled locally by that work package, with EMS being a major interface; EMS dictates the minimum Performance Level requirement (PLr) and hardware needed, with the local work package handling the rest and feeding back into EMS. An example of this is the MASCOT work package, which will design the MASCOT safety system inclusive of the minimum EMS hardware and PLr – EMS then interfaces to this and ensures it functions with the rest of the machine safety system.
The Software work package is more encapsulating, being responsible for all machine safety system software within the RHS Upgrade, regardless of work package. This is because the software must be programmed from a central point to all other sub-systems and be in the same software project. In the above example, the MASCOT safety system hardware will be programmed by the EMS work package.
UKAEA invites initial Expressions of Interest from engineering firms, consultancy groups and academia.
The contract is to be awarded in May 2022 with work to be completed by December 2022, through one contract placed up to a budget of £250,000.00. The total duration of the work will not exceed eight months, with proposed follow-on activities to be carried out over the next 2-5 years.
UKAEA will host a Webinar during the tender process. The webinar will include presentations on the EMS Hardware design and Q&A sessions for potential applicants to gain more information. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend the webinar for technical information to inform their application. The webinar will be streamed, and a recording will be made publicly available by UKAEA.
VI.4)

Procedures for review

VI.4.1)

Review body

UK Atomic Energy Authority
Culham Science Centre
Abingdon
OX14 3DB
UK
Internet address: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority

VI.4.2)

Body responsible for mediation procedures

UK Atomic Energy Authority
Culham Science Centre
Abingdon
OX14 3DB
UK
Internet address: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority

VI.4.3)

Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures: 
VI.4.2)Body responsible for mediation procedures
VI.4.3)Review procedure
Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures:
The authority will incorporate a minimum 10 calendar day standstill period at the point information on the award of the contract is communicated to tenderers.
This period allows unsuccessful tenderers to seek further debriefing from the authority before a contract is entered into applicants have 2 working days from the notification of the award decision to request. Additional debriefing and that information have to be provided within a minimum of 3 working days before the expiry of the standstill period. Such additional information should be sought from the contact named in this notice.
If an appeal regarding the award of a contract has not been successfully resolved, the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (SI 2015 No. 102) provide for aggrieved parties who have been harmed or are at risk of harm by a breach of the rules to take action in the High Court (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).
Any such action must be brought promptly.
(generally within 3 months).
VI.4.4)

Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained

UK Atomic Energy Authority
Culham Science Centre
Abingdon
OX14 3DB
UK
Internet address: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-atomic-energy-authority